System and method for modified tire rims for use with gravity-driven automatic tire pumps and generators

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for gravity-driven pumps and generators, as well as various supporting concepts, mechanisms, and approaches. As a tire rotates around an axle, the pull of gravity varies for a given point on the tire. While gravity is always pulling ‘down’, the force relative to a fixed point on the tire changes. Gravity-driven generators exploit these changes in gravitational force to do work. A gravity-driven generator is different from an automatic pump that operates using centrifugal force due to rotation of a tire. Automatic, gravity-driven generators can be used to generate and store energy to perform such tasks as inflating tires to offset the natural gas leakage of modern tires, and can maintain tire pressure and inflation within a desired or optimal range. Tire rims can be modified to accommodate these pumps.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 62/192,337, filed Jul. 14, 2015, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to specific changes or modifications in current tire rim designs to better accommodate and/or facilitate the use of automatic pumps and/or generators for tires and more specifically to pumps and/or generators that use changes in orientation due to tire rotation and gravitational force to drive pumps and/or generators to automatically inflate tires or perform other operations.

2. Introduction

Tires are a critical part of modern transportation. However, proper tire inflation is an important factor in the safety, efficiency and cost of using tires. Underinflation or overinflation are not optimal conditions for tire longevity or safety. Overinflation can lead to unsafe wear patterns, lower traction and increased potential for a catastrophic failure or blowout of the tire during otherwise, normal operation. Underinflation lowers the fuel efficiency of tires, increases wear, lowers the tire sidewall (lateral) stiffness making the tire less safe and increases the potential for catastrophic failure or blowout of the tire during otherwise, normal operation. All rubber-based, modern tires lose some amount of gas due to the natural porosity of rubber. These porosity losses can be minimized by using larger air molecules (Nitrogen) than air. However, the porosity losses are only reduced, not eliminated. Temperature can also affect tire inflation. One solution is for users to manually check tire inflation periodically, but this is a difficult task, requires training and significant user time. Further, some portion of the user population will never check their tire inflation due to inconvenience, regardless of the benefits that proper inflation provide. Tire inflation is a problem that many drivers do not care enough about to invest the time to check or correct until the problem is so bad that the tire, and consequently the vehicle, become undrivable, or unsafe. An automatic approach to tire inflation that does not require end-users, i.e. the drivers of these vehicles, to spend time and effort would be significantly preferable.

SUMMARY

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

The approaches set forth herein use gravity-driven pumps and/or gravity-driven generators to automatically inflate tires in a way that offsets the loss of gas from inside the tire. The gravity-driven pumps and/or generators are mounted to the tire rim, and are activated to pump air by exploiting gravity at various orientations as the tire rotates. Different types of pumps are described herein. Further, the differences in tire orientation can be used to generate electricity using similar principles. This electricity can be used to power various sensors, a processor, wired or wireless communications interfaces, electronic storage, or even an electric pump instead of a gravity-driven pump. Traditional tire rims can be modified to accommodate these pumps and the various associated modules and supporting elements.

In one aspect, a device used in connection with a rotating tire can generate electricity via a tube that holds a semi-viscous fluid (SVF) with magnetic/ferrite particles distributed within the fluid. An electrical wire mesh sleeve can be positioned around the tube. As the wheel turns, the SVF within the tube rotates slower than the wheel speed, and the ferrite particles passing through the wire mesh around the tube produce a charge that can be harnessed. The power can be stored in a battery or capacitor and can be used to power an electrical pneumatic pump, electronic components for sensors, wireless transceivers, pump control mechanisms, and so forth. The electricity can also be directly provided to one or more components without being stored in a battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example tire with gravity-driven pumps;

FIG. 2A illustrates the example tire with gravity-driven pumps at time T₀;

FIG. 2B illustrates the example tire with gravity-driven pumps at time T₁;

FIG. 2C illustrates the example tire with gravity-driven pumps at time T₂;

FIG. 2D illustrates the example tire with gravity-driven pumps at time T₃;

FIG. 2E illustrates the example tire with gravity-driven pumps at time T₄;

FIG. 2F illustrates the example tire with gravity-driven pumps at time T₅;

FIG. 3A illustrates an example one-way gravity-driven pump;

FIG. 3B illustrates an example two-way gravity-driven pump;

FIG. 3C illustrates an example membrane and fluid based gravity-driven pump;

FIG. 3D illustrates an example ferritic fluid gravity-driven electricity generator;

FIG. 3E illustrates a combined gravity-driven pump including internal ferritic fluid;

FIG. 3F illustrates an example gravity-driven pump with a curved pump path;

FIG. 3G illustrates an example gravity-driven pump;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example gravity-driven pump with adjustable parameters and sensors;

FIG. 5 illustrates example control unit communications with a gravity-driven pump;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example modified tire rim for receiving gravity-driven pumps;

FIG. 7 illustrates an embedded gravity-driven pump in a modified tire rim;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example placement of a heterogeneous gravity-driven pumps on a tire;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example communication network for gravity-driven pumps with other devices;

FIG. 10 illustrates example control unit communications with external devices;

FIG. 11 illustrates an application programming interface (API) for accessing the control unit;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example computing device for controlling and monitoring a gravity-driven pump;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example system embodiment; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a method embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for gravity-driven pumps and/or generators, as well as various supporting concepts, mechanisms, and approaches. The present disclosure will reference bother a gravity-driven pump as well as corresponding gravity-driven electricity generators. Principles disclosed relative to the functioning of the pump can also apply equally to the function and structure of a generator. Gravity is an ever-present acceleration and related to the size and density of a planet or large body generating the gravity. On earth, the gravitational acceleration is about 9.8 m/s² or 32.2 ft/s². The gravitational potential energy (U) is related to the product of the mass, gravitational acceleration and height above the surface that the mass is raised.

U=mgh

where U is gravitational potential energy, m is mass, g is the surface value of gravity, and h is the height above the surface (for surface calculations and small distances above the surface of the gravity generating body).

The more general, integral form of gravitational energy is as follows:

${U(r)} = {{\overset{r}{\int\limits_{\infty}}{\frac{- {GMm}}{r^{\prime 2}}{r^{\prime}}}} = {- \frac{GMm}{r}}}$

where U(r) is the gravitational potential energy as a function of the distance between the bodies, G is the gravitational constant, M is the Mass of the attracting body, m is the mass of the body gravity is acting upon, and r is the distance between their centers.

This application describes how to use gravity to move a mass within a chamber, which moves air from one chamber to another (in this case, moving air into a tire.). By changing the orientation of the chamber, gravity creates the pump stroke and intake stroke. Or in the case of a gravity-based generator, by changing the orientation of the generator, the device creates electricity which can be harnessed to power an electric pump, a sensor, a wireless transceiver, or any other component. The electricity can be stored in a battery or capacitor or used directly to power another device or component.

As the tire rotates around an axle, the magnitude of the gravitational vector component varies for a given tangent on the circumference of the tire. While gravity is always pulling ‘down’, the force relative to a fixed tangent on the tire changes. The tangents on a circle, at 12:00 and 6:00 are parallel to each other and are horizontal in a normal, earth reference frame. The gravitational vector component is perpendicular to the tangents at 12:00 and 6:00 or pointing vertically down. In this application, at 12:00 and 6:00, gravity cannot do any constructive work because the gravitational vector is perpendicular to the orientation of the pumping mechanism. However, the tangents on a circle at 3:00 and 9:00 are parallel with each other and are parallel with the gravitational vector. At the 3:00 and 9:00 orientations, in this application, one can utilize the full effect of gravity (the gravitational potential energy) to do constructive work. Gravity-driven pumps exploit changes in their orientation to utilize the gravitational force vector's vertical component to do work. The work can be driving a pump, or generating electrical power to drive a traditional electric pump or other electrical components. A gravity-driven pump is different from an automatic pump that operates using centrifugal force due to rotation of a tire. Centrifugal force applies to virtually any rotating mass, whereas a gravity-driven pump would work when the rotational direction would cause some change in orientation of the pumping device, utilizing gravitational force to pull a pumping element in opposite directions at different rotational positions. Automatic, gravity-driven pumps can be used to inflate tires to offset the natural gas leakage of modern tires, and can maintain tire pressure and inflation within a designed and desired range.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example tire 100 with gravity-driven pumps 102, 104. FIG. 1 illustrates the up direction which is the opposite of the pull of gravity. These example gravity-driven pumps are illustrated as large pumps for ease of demonstration, and are not necessarily to scale. The pumps 102, 104 can be much smaller, and can be embedded on or in the rim. The pumps 102, 104 can be aligned substantially parallel to the rim of the tire 100, or perpendicular to a radial line from the center of the rim to the location of the pump. These pumps have external moving parts, also for ease of demonstration, but gravity-driven pumps can include a housing within which all the moving parts are housed. In this way, the gravity-driven pump can be a modular unit. The series of FIGS. 2A-2F show the example tire 100 at different times T₀-T₅ to illustrate how gravitational changes due to rotation cause the pumps 102, 104 to operate.

FIG. 2A illustrates the example tire 100 with gravity-driven pumps 102, 104 at time T₀. At this time, both pumps 102, 104 are parallel to the surface of the Earth, and perpendicular to the pull of gravity, so neither pump is affected. The tire rotates from time T₀ to time T₁, as shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B illustrates the example tire 100 with gravity-driven pumps 102, 104 at time T₁. The gravity-driven pumps 102, 104 are now slightly off from parallel to the surface of the Earth, so gravity is starting to affect them. The head of pump 102 is being pulled down, out of the pump shaft, and the head of pump 104 is being pulled down, into the pump shaft. So pump 102 is starting to extract air from the atmosphere into the pump shaft, while pump 104 is starting to compress and inject air from the pump shaft into the tire 100. The tire rotates from time T₁ to time T₂, as shown in FIG. 2C. FIG. 2C illustrates the example tire 100 with gravity-driven pumps 102, 104 at time T₂. The rotation has caused gravity to continue to pull on the pumps at different angles, so the pump stroke in on pump 104 and the pump stroke out on pump 102 continue and may even accelerate. The tire rotates from time T₂ to time T₃, as shown in FIG. 2D. FIG. 2D illustrates the example tire 100 with gravity-driven pumps 102, 104 at time T₃. The pump strokes continue. The tire rotates from time T₃ to time T₄, as shown in FIG. 2E. FIG. 2E illustrates the example tire 100 with gravity-driven pumps 102, 104 at time T₄. The pump strokes are almost complete, as shown by the pump head of pump 104 being almost completely inserted within the pump shaft, while the pump head of pump 102 is almost completely extended from the pump shaft. The tire rotates from time T₄ to time T₅, as shown in FIG. 2F. FIG. 2F illustrates the example tire 100 with gravity-driven pumps 102, 104 at time T₅. At this point, the pump head of pump 102 is completely extended, and the pump head of pump 104 is completely inserted. As the tire continues to rotate in this direction, the roles of the pumps will reverse, so that gravity will cause pump 102 to be inserted, and cause pump 104 to be extended. For each complete rotation of the tire at appropriate speeds, based on the tire and pump characteristics, each pump undergoes an insert stroke and an extend stroke.

The example of FIGS. 2A-2F illustrates an example of a tire at a relatively slow speed. Depending on the pump characteristics, a certain speed threshold exists, above which the tire will rotate too quickly to allow the pumps to operate. For example, the changes in orientation due to the rotation of the tire may be too fast to allow the pumps to move. If the pumps are positioned across from each other, the movement of the pumps will cancel each other out so the tire remains harmonically balanced.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example one-way gravity-driven pump 300. The pump 300 includes a mass 302 that moves back and forth partially or entirely within a cylinder 304, to create an interior cavity 310. The interior cavity 310 connects with an intake valve 306 that allows gas into the interior cavity 310 as the mass 302 creates a vacuum by moving away from the interior cavity 310. The interior cavity 310 connects with an outlet valve 308 that allows air to move out of the interior cavity 310 as the mass 302 moves toward the interior cavity 310 and compresses the air therein. The air moving out of the cavity can be pumped into a tire, for example.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example two-way gravity-driven pump 320. This can allow both strokes of the pump 320 to do work. The pump 320 includes a mass 322 that moves back and forth within a cylinder 324, to create two interior cavities 330. Each interior cavity 330 connects with an intake valve 326 that allows gas into a respective interior cavity 330 as the mass 322 creates a vacuum by moving away from one interior cavity to the other. Each interior cavity 330 connects with an outlet valve 328 that allows air to move out of the interior cavity 330 as the mass 322 moves toward that interior cavity 330 and compresses the air therein. The air moving out of the cavity can be pumped into a tire, for example.

FIG. 3C illustrates an example membrane and fluid based gravity-driven pump 340. In this example, the mass 342 is a liquid. As gravity acts on the liquid mass 342 in a chamber 344, the mass can press against a membrane 350. The membrane 350 can depress or deform due to the weight of the liquid mass 342, causing air in a cavity behind the membrane 350 to compress and leave through the outlet valve 348. Then, as the liquid mass 342 moves away from the membrane 350, the membrane 350 can return to its original shape, causing a vacuum in the cavity, so air enters via the intake valve 346. The cycles of gravitational pull during rotation of a tire can cause the fluctuations and movement of the liquid mass 342.

FIG. 3D illustrates an example 360 of a ferritic, ferrofluid, gravity-driven electricity generator. A tube 360 can contain a semi-viscous fluid (SVF) 362 with magnetic or ferrite particles distributed within the fluid. An electrical wire mesh sleeve 364 can surround all or part of the tube. The tube is mounted to part of a wheel, such as a rim. As the wheel turns, the SVF 362 within the tube rotates slower than the wheel speed, and the ferrite particles passing through the wire mesh 364 around the tube produce a charge that can be harnessed to do work, such as driving an electrical pneumatic pump. In this example, a cylinder 360 (or other shaped container) contains the ferritic fluid 362 with magnetic particles. A mesh of wires 364 or a coil of wire can surround all or part of the cylinder 360. This generator can be affixed to a tire, and as the tire rotates, the ferritic fluid 362 moves or sloshes around inside the cylinder 360. This flow of the ferritic fluid 362 through the mesh 364 causes variations in the magnetic flux that are harnessed to generate electricity in the mesh 364. The electricity can then be directed to a battery, capacitor, or other energy storage device 366, or can power electrical components directly 374. Such components, for example, can include sensors 368, an electric pump 370, wireless communications interfaces 372, and so forth. Any component can be powered in this way. The ferritic fluid 362 and mesh 364 can be a curved cylinder that runs along part of a tire rim, or around an entire tire rim.

It is noted that in any place in this disclosure where a pump is discussed, that the pump can also be considered a generator of electricity and can function to generate electricity as the wheel rotates around its axis.

FIG. 3E illustrates a combined gravity-driven pump including internal ferritic fluid. In this example, as in FIG. 3A, the pump 380 includes a mass 382 that moves back and forth partially or entirely within a cylinder 384, to create an interior cavity 390. The interior cavity 390 connects with an intake valve 386 that allows gas into the interior cavity 390 as the mass 382 creates a vacuum by moving away from the interior cavity 390. The interior cavity 390 connects with an outlet valve 388 that allows air to move out of the interior cavity 390 as the mass 382 moves toward the interior cavity 390 and compresses the air therein. The air moving out of the cavity 390 can be pumped into a tire, for example. However, in FIG. 3E, the mass 382 is hollow and contains a ferritic fluid. As the mass 382 moves and as the tire rotates, the ferritic fluid sloshes around and causes a magnetic flux, which can be harnessed by a mesh of wires (not shown) embedded in the mass 382, in the wall of the cylinder 384, or outside the cylinder 384. Thus, this pump 380 can not only pump air into a tire, but can also simultaneously generate electricity while the tire is moving.

FIG. 3F illustrates an example gravity-driven pump 394 with a curved pump path. In this example, the mass 396 is curved to fit a curved cylinder path 398. The curvature of the pump path can match the rim of a tire, or can have some other curvature. The drop path of the cylinder can be an arc, linear, inverse arc, or can be an arc greater than or less than the arc defined by the radius of the rim. The various examples of pump variations in FIGS. 3A-3F can be combined in various ways not explicitly shown herein. For example, the hollow mass and internal ferritic fluid of FIG. 3E can be combined with the curved pump path of FIG. 3F and the dual cavities of FIG. 3B. As another example, the diaphragm of FIG. 3C can be combined with the ferritic fluid and mesh of FIG. 3D. In each case, the pump operates based on changes in gravity as the pump rotates about an axis, such as a pump affixed to a tire rim that rotates about the tire axle. Changes in gravity cause the mass or the liquid to move back and forth.

The placement and counteracting motions of pumps can provide automatically harmonically balanced tires, even at low, medium, or high speeds. At low speeds the mass may move to do work to pump air, but at greater speeds the mass may move or may not have a chance to move, so the additional masses from the pumps do not cause an imbalance in the tire.

In each of these examples, the pumps can pump gas, such as air, directly into a tire, or can pump gas into a reservoir or container of compressed air (not shown). For example, if the tire is already inflated to its proper pressure, the pump can fill the reservoir or container to store air under pressure for inflating the tire at a later time, or for some other purpose.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example gravity-driven pump 400 with adjustable parameters and sensors. The pump 400 includes a mass 402 that moves back and forth partially or entirely within a cylinder, to create an interior cavity 410. The interior cavity 410 connects with an intake valve 406 that allows gas into the interior cavity 410 as the mass 402 creates a vacuum by moving away from the interior cavity 410. The interior cavity 410 connects with an outlet valve 408 that allows air to move out of the interior cavity 410 as the mass 402 moves toward the interior cavity 410 and compresses the air therein. The air moving out of the cavity can be pumped into a tire, for example, as in FIG. 3A. The mass 402 can typically move freely for the entire length of the cylinder, to create a long stroke. However, under certain tire rotation, driving, or road conditions, a stroke of a different length may be optimal. This example pump 400 includes latches 412 which can be operated via a control unit 418 to engage or disengage to modify the stroke length of the mass 402. For example, when latches 412 are engaged, the stroke length is shorter, and when latches 412 are disengaged, the stroke length is longer. A series of latches or a dynamically adjustable latching mechanism can provide finer control over a precise stroke length. The control unit 418 can communicate with other sensors, computing devices, databases, or other components to determine a desired stroke length for the driving conditions and for an associated tire, in order to adjust these pump parameters.

The control unit 418 can adjust other pump parameters as well. For example, the control unit 418 can operate a release mechanism 416 that can release an additional mass 414. The additional mass 414 can attach to mass 402 for a combined larger mass and different pump characteristics. The larger combined mass of the mass 402 and the additional mass 414 may provide more optimal pumping at higher speeds, for example. The release mechanism can recapture and hold in place the additional mass 414 when the control unit 418 determines that the additional mass 414 is not needed. In another variation, the release mechanism 416 can interface directly with the mass 402 and can hold the mass 402 in place when pumping is not necessary, and can release the mass 402 to do pumping work when pumping is desired. In this way, the release mechanism can fix the mass in place if no more pumping is needed to reduce wear.

The system can dynamically adjust the pump, valving, or pressure elements based on various factors. In one scenario, the optimum pressure for a given tire and load are established as X. However, if the load changes (increases), the necessary and optimum tire pressure would also need to change (in this case, increase) to address the added load. Normally, when the tire pressure is insufficient for a given load, the side walls bulge and the tire footprint increases to carry the load. This may include more of the tread, the sidewalls, etc. to satisfy the pressure requirement (force/area). The tires can include piezoelectric strain sensors in the side walls to both generate electricity and/or provide sensor data related to the distortion of the side wall. This data provides an indirect measure of the tire pressure related to the load. If the side walls bulge for a given load, the tire pressure is likely insufficient for that load and hence, the system can increase the tire pressure to a safe level, such as according to the maximum tire pressure for any given tire. The tires can generate or track operating information from the sidewall, strain gauge deformation, temperature, humidity, pH (acidity/alkalinity) (related to oxidation—rust), air composition, etc. The system can capture or use this tire sensor information to change the tire pressure accordingly. The system can also use Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) data for an independent pressure reading and tire location for more precise control and inflation, such as where steering tires should be at a different (higher) pressure than rear, or drive, tires.

The pump 400 can include various sensors, such as an internal sensor 420 and an external sensor 422. The control unit 418 can interface with each of these sensors 420, 422. The internal sensor 420 can detect attributes of the gas in the internal cavity 410. For example, the internal sensor 420 can detect pressure, speed of the air moving in or out of the internal cavity, air temperature, air composition, humidity, pH levels, salinity, air quality, air cleanliness, and so forth. The external sensor 422 can detect similar attributes for external conditions. The internal sensor 420 and/or the external sensor 422 can relay those readings to the control unit 418, which can then base decisions and execute actions based on those readings. For example, if the internal sensor 420 reports air cleanliness that the control unit 418 determines is too low, the control unit 418 can control the outlet valve 408 to shunt the pumped air out back into the atmosphere instead of into the tire or into an air reservoir or tank. Similarly, if the external sensor 420 reports air salinity that the control unit 418 determines is too high and may lead to corrosion damage to the pump or to the tire, the control unit 418 can control the intake valve 406 to prevent air from entering the internal cavity 410. The control unit 418 can further interface with sensors in the tire to determine a type of gas in the tire. For example, the tire may be inflated with normal air, nitrogen, a different gas, or a mixture thereof. The control unit 418 can decide, based on how urgently the tire needs to be inflated and based on the type of gas in the tire already, whether to activate the pump to pump additional air into the tire. In one variation, the control unit 418 can even control the intake valve and outlet valve 408 to reverse their directions so that the pump can actively extract excess pressure from the tire in over-inflation conditions. For example, if the tire is inflated to a desired pressure range at a cold temperature, as the tire moves and heats up, the pressure increases. If the pressure increase, due to temperature or other causes, exceeds a desired range or threshold, the control unit 418 can actively pump air out of the tire until the pressure reaches the desired range or threshold.

The system can divert excess pressure away from the tire when the tire is at an acceptable pressure, or can continue pumping regardless of pressure and use a pressure relief valve to keep the intravolumetric pressure at a prescribed target pressure, in a similar manner to a voltage divider or a water heater pressure relief valve.

FIG. 5 illustrates example communications of the control unit 506 with gravity-driven pumps 504 as well as other components. The control unit 506 can communicate with multiple different components via wired or wireless communications, or the control unit 506 can integrate all or part of these components in to itself. As discussed above, the control unit 506 can communicate with pumps 504 to control various pump characteristics, as well as to gather analytics data about how the pump is performing, including number of pump strokes, how often and when the pump strokes occur, how much air is pumped total, and so forth. The control unit 506 can receive real-time data 514 from sensors that monitor the pump, the tire, or other data sources related to the tire or the pump performance. One example of a source of real-time data is a sidewall deformation sensor that provides data from which a load on the tire can be extrapolated or calculated. The control unit 506 can also examine driver and route characteristics 512 to determine how to control the pump, or to report how patterns of driving or which routes influence pump performance. For example, if the control unit 506 is associated with a truck for a bottled water distributor, the characteristics of the route are very different at the beginning of the day when the truck is under full load, as opposed to the drive back to the warehouse when the truck is empty or mostly empty. The control unit 506 can modify the pumps' behavior accordingly so the tires 502 remain inflated within the desired range.

The control unit 506 can identify, from a tire profile database 508, a tire type for the tire 502. The tire type can indicate how fast gas leaks from the tire due to natural porosity of the tire, a range of optimal inflation for that tire type, how temperature affects the tire, how different loads affect the tire, and so forth. The tire profile database 508 can also store data indicating how various tire attributes change over time as the tire ages and/or wears. The control unit 506 can monitor and build up a driver profile 510 or simply use an existing driver profile 510. The driver profile 510 can track driving patterns of an individual user or group of users. The driver profile 510 can include information such as how quickly the driver tends to accelerate from a stopped position, braking times, turn sharpness, and so forth. Each driver drives slightly differently, and the control unit 506 can use that data to determine how or whether to modify pump attributes 504 based on the tire profile data 508 to ensure that the tire 502 remains inflated within the appropriate pressure range.

The control unit 506 can communicate with a pressure release valve for the tire which can either relieve pressure from within the tire 502 or can prevent unneeded pump strokes from pumping air into the tire 502, such as by pumping air back into the atmosphere, a separate air container, or elsewhere. The control unit 506 can examine real-time data 514 such as tire pressure and activate all pumps 504 for the tire 502 if a sudden pressure drop is detected, for example. If the pumps 504 have been pumping air into a reservoir, the control unit 506 can cause that air to be released into the tire 502 as well.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example modified tire rim 600 for receiving gravity-driven pumps. Rim designs can be modified from the standard approach by including more than one hole for air access. Further, rims can be modified to include a mounting channel to minimize damage to the pumping mechanism when mounting or repairing a tire. In this example, the tire rim 600 is a bicycle rim, but the same principles apply to virtually any inflatable tire, such as tires for consumer cars, busses, heavy construction or mining equipment, motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, and other electric, human-powered, or gas-powered vehicles. These principles can be applied to any rotational motion to which a pump can be affixed to pump air and/or to generate electricity. The tire rim 600 can be modified with multiple stems 602, 606 and corresponding holes 604, 608 in the rim to accommodate pumps. Gravity-driven pumps can be mounted on the interior surface of the rim 600 and can be incorporated into or with stems 602, 606 so that a user can inflate the tire in the normal way. In another embodiment, the rim 600 has a channel 610 into which pumps can be inserted. The channel 610 must have holes for the pump to pump in external air, or some other alternate air input. Additional holes or access portals can be included in the rim for a gravity driven generator as well. To accommodate the additional components, the standard hole size and number of holes in a rim can be changed, as well as the position of the holes. The rim can be marked to identify the gravity-based device and that it is present on the rim. The markings can show where the gravity-based device is actually mounted. The markings can be any type of marking. Further, a standardized fixture, or a fixing device, can be built into the rim to receive or attach the gravity-based device.

Thus, an example tire rim has an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be installed or mounted, a first hole for an inflation stem, and a second hole for a fixedly attached pump configured to pump air into the tire via rotational motion of the tire rim about an axis that causes gravity to move a pump element of the fixedly attached pump in a first direction at a first rotational position to yield a first pump stroke, and causes gravity to move the pump element in a second direction at a second rotational position to yield a second pump stroke, wherein the first pump stroke and the second pump stroke pump a gas into the inflatable tire through the second hole. The strokes can also be used to generate electricity in a gravity-based electricity generator.

For example, a system for generating electricity can include a tire rim with an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be mounted, a first hole for an inflation stem and at least one second hole for a fixedly attached electricity generator configured to generate electricity via rotational motion of the tire rim about an axis that causes gravity to move a generation element of the fixedly attached electricity generator in a first direction at a first rotational position to yield a first electricity generator stroke. With rotation of the rim, the rotation causes gravity to move the generation element in a second direction at a second rotational position to yield a second generator stroke. The first generator stroke and the second generator stroke cause electricity to be generated. The system also can include a mounting area in the tire rim into which the fixedly attached electricity generator can be inserted so the fixedly attached electricity generator is flush with an outer surface of the tire rim.

The electricity generator further can include a tube containing a semi-viscous fluid with magnetic/ferrite particles distributed within the semi-viscous fluid. The electricity generator further can include an electrical wire mesh sleeve around the tube. As the tire rim turns, the semi-viscous fluid within the tube rotates slower than a wheel speed, and the magnetic/ferrite particles passing through the wire mesh around the tube produce a charge.

The example tire rim can include a mounting channel into which the fixedly attached pump can be inserted so the fixedly attached pump is flush with the outer surface of the tire rim. FIG. 7 illustrates an embedded gravity-driven pump 702 in a modified tire rim 700 with a channel 610. In this example, the pump 702 occupies an entire portion of the rim 700, essentially becoming part of the exterior and interior surface of the rim 700 but the pump 702 can alternatively snap into a receiving receptacle that forms all or part of the interior and/or external surface of the rim 700. The air intake valve 704 pulls air in from the atmosphere and the pump pumps air into the tire through the outlet valve 706. In one embodiment, the channel 610 incorporates separate holes for each pump, but in another embodiment, the channel 610 includes a pneumatic system so that multiple pumps work together and feed in to a combined location for pumping air into the tire.

The tire rim 600 can be modified to include a series of pits or holes into which pumps can be inserted, instead of a channel 610 which circumscribes the entire rim. The tire rim 600 can further be modified to include or incorporate various automatic safety mechanisms to ensure that air does not escape the tire if the pumps break or are damaged, mounting clamps or brackets for receiving and holding pumps in place, and so forth. Pumps 702 and stems 606 can be incorporated at a same position on the tire, the pump 702 on the tire facing side and the stems 606 exposed on the center facing side. The pumps can be modular, so that pumps can be inserted into and removed from the modified rim at will, either while the tire is removed from the rim in one embodiment, or while the tire is still mounted on the rim. Valves incorporated into the modified rim can engage when a pump is removed to prevent air leakage while a pump is removed or replaced. In one embodiment, portions of the pumps or the modified rims are transparent so a mechanic can make a visual inspection to ensure that the pump is functioning properly and the mass is moving within the pump.

The tire rim 600 can be modified with an alarm or notification system. The alarm or notification system can activate when a pump is removed, or when a pump is added. The notification can be an audible, visual, electronic, or other notification. The alarm or notification system can also encourage proper placement of the pumps in the modified tire rim 600, by providing indications that the tire is properly installed, properly engaged, functional, correctly positioned, that associated pumps are also properly positioned, and so forth. For example, if a user installs a single pump, the alarm or notification system can illuminate an LED indicating (or at) a corresponding position on the tire rim so the user knows where to install a second pump to balance the tire. The tire rim 600 can be modified to include wireless communication to output to a sensor, receiver, remote display, an on-board computer, etc.

The pumping mechanism can include some kind of visual indication, such as a sticker (such as a state inspection sticker), different color or color pattern, notches, a light, etc., to indicate readily and easily that automatic gravity-driven pumps are included on this rim, or that the rim is capable of receiving and operating with such pumps. The indications can be more detailed visual markings as well, such as text, symbols, or other markings on the tire. The indications can include non-visual components, such as a different texture or material, a vibration generating motor, an audible alert, NFC or RFID tags that electronically and wirelessly confirm the presence of gravity-driven pumps, or that confirm that the tire is capable of receiving and operating with such pumps. These notifications can, where capable, further provide an indication that the pump is functional, such as illuminating a green LED to indicate proper operation, and illuminating a red LED to indicate a failure of some kind. Different blinking patterns can communicate different states of functionality or detected problems. An NFC or RFID tag can communicate additional status or diagnostic information for a pump which can be displayed on a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone. Further, the rim and/or the pump mechanism can include markings, notches, bumps, etc. that confirm or guide proper pump mechanism placement, alignment, and/or orientation. Such guides can help reduce the potential to damage the pump or the rim during mounting or repairing procedures.

The rim 600 can be modified to receive a “replacement” pumping mechanism, such as if one pump is damaged or not functioning properly. The pumping mechanism can be popped out, either manually or with a general-purpose tool or a specific tool for removing pumps. Then a user can replace the removed pump with a new pump. The pumping mechanism can be internally mounted, or on the outside of the rim facing into the interior of a tire. The pumping mechanism can be externally mounted, or on the inside of the rim facing toward a center of the rim. The pumping mechanisms can be mounted onto the rim at multiple locations which may be different from the locations of any stems for manual inflation. The stem and/or pumping mechanism can exhaust pumped air according to a variable target pressure based on load, as indicated by data from a tire sidewall deformation sensor. A stem and/or valve, such as Schrader valve, and can draw air in and exhaust air out above a target pressure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example placement of a heterogeneous gravity-driven pumps 802, 804 on a tire 800. Different pumps can have different pumping attributes with “sweet spots” tuned to exploit changes in gravity better at different speeds, or under different operating conditions. These different pumps can be placed in such a way that the tire remains harmonically balanced. In this example, pumps of a same type 802, 804 are placed directly opposite each other, because pumps of different types may have different weights or the masses may move in different patterns. However, as long as pumps of the same type are evenly distributed or spaced around the tire, the harmonic balance should be maintained. In other words, the pumps should have an equal angular distance between them. For example, three pumps of a same type can be distributed 120 degrees apart from one another. The control unit can communicate with the different types of pumps, and can activate all pumps collectively, or can activate all pumps of a same type. Other modules can introduce weight at different locations on the tire, which can be offset by placing the pumps in different locations. For example, the pumps can be placed at uneven angular distances from each other to accommodate additional weight from sensors, electronics, tire stems, etc.

In one variation, the control unit can determine that only a small amount of pumping is needed, such as the amount provided by a single pump. But in order to maintain the harmonic balancing due to the moving masses in the pumps, the control unit can activate the set of pumps of the same type, while enabling one pump to pump air into the tire while the remaining pumps simply pump air back into the atmosphere. In this way, the movement of the masses in the pumps offset each other for harmonic balancing, but only one pump is ‘working’. In case of pump removal, a specially shaped plug can be inserted into the hole from which the pump was removed to cover the holes and protect the tire, rim, and the hole.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example communication network for gravity-driven pumps 902 with other devices. The communication network can be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. Some parts of the communication network may be active at different times. The pumps 902 can communicate with an on-board computer 904 for a vehicle. The on-board computer 904 can serve as a control unit, or can interface with individual control units for each pump 902. The pumps 902 and/or the on-board computer 904 can communicate with a server 906 to report analytics or performance data for the pumps, the tires, for fuel efficiency, and so forth. The server 906 can then provide a web or other interface for users to view the reported data, and/or manage pumps in the vehicle. Similarly, the pumps 902 and/or the on-board computer 904 can communicate with a mobile device 908 such as a tablet, smartphone, or diagnostic tool. The mobile device 908 can communicate with the pumps 902 and/or the on-board computer 904 via a wired or wireless connection. One example of a wired connection is an OBD-II wired connection. Some examples of wireless connections can include Bluetooth™, Zigbee™, Wi-Fi™, WIMAX™, or RFID. Any of these connections can be bi-directional or uni-directional.

The pump mechanisms can incorporate electronic components to read and transmit wirelessly various data including tire pressure, tire temperature, internal and external air temperature, humidity, side wall deformation, estimated load as a function of pressure and side wall deformation, pH reading as indicator of oxidation (rusting) inside the tire, air quality sensors, barometric pressure, an amount of electricity generated, an amount of air pumped into the tire, and so forth.

In one embodiment for a semi truck, as the semi-truck pulls in to a weigh station, devices or sensors embedded or placed in positions throughout a parking zone can communicate with the individual pumps in the tires and provide a report to an inspector. The report can show, for example, green check marks for tires and pumps functioning properly, and red X's or yellow exclamation marks for tires or pumps that need inspection. The report can provide access for a user to drill down to more detailed information. For example, a user can examine the report to view a history of pump operation, and a chart showing the tire pressure over time to verify that the pump is maintaining the tire pressure within a desired range. This can save significant time and cost at inspections. Such sensors can be placed in other locations as well, or the on-board computer 904 can generate such reports and transmit them to the server 906.

The pumps 902 and on-board computer 904 can be integrated with or communicate via the CAN bus or CAN protocol. For example, the pumps 902 and on-board computer 904 can communicate with “wireless inspection stations” for vehicle inspections, such as semi trucks at weigh stations, at vehicle service centers, or at government agencies such as the division of motor vehicles for inspections.

FIG. 10 illustrates example control unit 1000 communications with external devices, in a more detailed view of FIG. 9. The control unit 1000 communicates with the pumps 1002, a web server 1004, a mobile device 1006, via a near-field communications (NFC) interface, or with an on-board computer 1010. The control unit 1000 can also communicate with an analytics processor 1008 for determining the appropriate inflation ranges for tires.

FIG. 11 illustrates an application programming interface (API) 1104 for accessing the control unit 1102. A computing device 1110 accesses the control unit 1102 via an API 1104. The API 1104 can also expose functionality from a sensor 1106 and a pump 1108. The API 1104 can provide a standardized, abstracted way for a computing device to obtain data from or send instructions to any of the underlying components without knowledge or details of how those underlying components operate. For example, the API can define how the computing device 1110 requests a current state of the pump 1108. When the computing device 1110 requests that current state via the API 1104, from the computing device's perspective, inputs are provided, and a corresponding output is returned. The API can be standard regardless of the underlying types of control units 1108, sensors 1106, or pumps 1108. In this way, virtually any computing device 1110 of any type can communicate with and control these components via the API 1104.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example computing device 1200 for controlling and monitoring a gravity-driven pump 1202. In this example, the pump 1202 can provide power to recharge a power source 1204 such as a capacitor or battery. Alternatively, the power source can be a type of battery or other energy storage device that does not need power from the pump 1202. The power source 1204 can power a sensor 1206, a processor 1208, and a memory 1210. The pump 1202 and the processor 1208 can communicate via a communication interface 1212, and the processor can also communicate with external devices 1214 via the communication interface 1212.

While specific implementations are described herein, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. Other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

A brief description of a basic general purpose system or computing device in FIG. 13 which can be employed to practice the concepts is disclosed herein. With reference to FIG. 13, an exemplary system 1300 includes a general-purpose computing device 1300, including a processing unit (CPU or processor) 1320 and a system bus 1310 that couples various system components including the system memory 1330 such as read only memory (ROM) 1340 and random access memory (RAM) 1350 to the processor 1320. The system 1300 can include a cache 1322 of high speed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of the processor 1320. The system 1300 copies data from the memory 1330 and/or the storage device 1360 to the cache 1322 for quick access by the processor 1320. In this way, the cache provides a performance boost that avoids processor 1320 delays while waiting for data. These and other modules can control or be configured to control the processor 1320 to perform various actions. Other system memory 1330 may be available for use as well. The memory 1330 can include multiple different types of memory with different performance characteristics. It can be appreciated that the disclosure may operate on a computing device 1300 with more than one processor 1320 or on a group or cluster of computing devices networked together to provide greater processing capability. The processor 1320 can include any general purpose processor and a hardware module or software module, such as module 13 1362, module 2 1364, and module 3 1366 stored in storage device 1360, configured to control the processor 1320 as well as a special-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design. The processor 1320 may essentially be a completely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric.

The system bus 1310 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. A basic input/output (BIOS) stored in ROM 1340 or the like, may provide the basic routine that helps to transfer information between elements within the computing device 1300, such as during start-up. The computing device 1300 further includes storage devices 1360 such as a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, tape drive or the like. The storage device 1360 can include software modules 1362, 1364, 1366 for controlling the processor 1320. Other hardware or software modules are contemplated. The storage device 1360 is connected to the system bus 1310 by a drive interface. The drives and the associated computer-readable storage media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing device 1300. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particular function includes the software component stored in a tangible computer-readable storage medium in connection with the necessary hardware components, such as the processor 1320, bus 1310, display 1370, and so forth, to carry out the function. In another aspect, the system can use a processor and computer-readable storage medium to store instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method or other specific actions. The basic components and appropriate variations are contemplated depending on the type of device, such as whether the device 1300 is a small, handheld computing device, a desktop computer, or a computer server.

Although the exemplary embodiment described herein employs the hard disk 1360, other types of computer-readable media which can store data that are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories (RAMs) 1350, read only memory (ROM) 1340, a cable or wireless signal containing a bit stream and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment. Tangible computer-readable storage media, computer-readable storage devices, or computer-readable memory devices, expressly exclude media such as transitory waves, energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 1300, an input device 1390 represents any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An output device 1370 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanisms known to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodal systems enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicate with the computing device 1300. The communications interface 1380 generally governs and manages the user input and system output. There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement and therefore the basic features here may easily be substituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.

For clarity of explanation, the illustrative system embodiment is presented as including individual functional blocks including functional blocks labeled as a “processor” or processor 1320. The functions these blocks represent may be provided through the use of either shared or dedicated hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable of executing software and hardware, such as a processor 1320, that is purpose-built to operate as an equivalent to software executing on a general purpose processor. For example the functions of one or more processors presented in FIG. 13 may be provided by a single shared processor or multiple processors. (Use of the term “processor” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software.) Illustrative embodiments may include microprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) 1340 for storing software performing the operations described below, and random access memory (RAM) 1350 for storing results. Very large scale integration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSI circuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may also be provided.

The logical operations of the various embodiments are implemented as: (1) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or procedures running on a programmable circuit within a general use computer, (2) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or procedures running on a specific-use programmable circuit; and/or (3) interconnected machine modules or program engines within the programmable circuits. The system 1300 shown in FIG. 13 can practice all or part of the recited methods, can be a part of the recited systems, and/or can operate according to instructions in the recited tangible computer-readable storage media. Such logical operations can be implemented as modules configured to control the processor 1320 to perform particular functions according to the programming of the module. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates three modules Mod1 1362, Mod2 1364 and Mod3 1366 which are modules configured to control the processor 1320. These modules may be stored on the storage device 1360 and loaded into RAM 1350 or memory 1330 at runtime or may be stored in other computer-readable memory locations.

We now turn to details on gravity-based generation of electricity introduced in FIG. 3D. In one example, the system can include a tube 360 that holds a semi-viscous fluid (SVF) 362 with magnetic/ferrite particles distributed within the fluid. An electrical wire mesh sleeve 364 or coil can be positioned around the tube 36. As the wheel turns, the SVF 362 within the tube 360 rotates slower than the wheel speed, and the ferrite particles passing through the wire mesh 364 around the tube produce a charge that can be harnessed. The SVF 362 may also simply move due to the force of gravity as the wheel rotates. The present disclosure can power (via a battery or directly 374 via the wire 364) an electrical pneumatic pump 368, electronic components for sensors 370, wireless transceivers 372, pump control mechanisms (not shown), and so forth. It is noted that any other structure is contemplated as well which will cause an element to move based on tire rotation and thus changes in gravitation forces. There are a number of different configurations that could be applied to generate electricity and any component disclosed herein can be repurposed for electricity generation.

In order to more specifically address electricity generation, other changes to the structures disclosed herein may be necessary. For example, additional holes or access portals may be needed in the rim in that current holes may be needed for air access and additional holes may be needed for a generator. The sizes of holes may need to change as well as the position of such holes to make room for generators and/or pumps. A marking may be placed on the rim to indicate the existence of a gravity based device (generator and/or pump). The markings can show where the device is mounted on the rim as well. The rim structure may be modified in order to affix a gravity based device in a similar way as current valve stem holes are standardized. In this new case, a standardized structure can be created within the rim to accommodate gravity based pumps or generators.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method aspect of this disclosure. A method of generating electricity includes, as a tire rim with an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be mounted rotates around an axis, causing an element to move due to a change in gravity (1402). The element, as referenced above, can be a semi-viscous fluid with magnetic or ferrite particles or may be some other element or magnet that moves. The method includes generating electricity via the movement of the element (1404). In one aspect, the method includes storing the electricity in a battery (1406) and communicating the electricity from the battery to one of a sensor, an air pump, and a wireless communication device (1408). In another aspect, no battery is needed and the electricity is directly communicated to a desired component. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also include tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such tangible computer-readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, including the functional design of any special purpose processor as described above. By way of example, and not limitation, such tangible computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chip design. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or combination thereof) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of the computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructions also include program modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or network environments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, objects, and the functions inherent in the design of special-purpose processors, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of the program code means for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps.

Other embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, or by a combination thereof) through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

We claim:
 1. A system comprising: a tire rim with an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be mounted; a first hole configured within the tire rim for an inflation stem; and at least one second hole configured within the tire rim for a fixedly attached electricity generator configured to generate electricity via rotational motion of the tire rim about an axis that causes gravity to move a generation element of the fixedly attached electricity generator in a first direction at a first rotational position to yield a first generator stroke, and with rotation of the tire rim, causes gravity to move the generation element in a second direction at a second rotational position to yield a second generator stroke, wherein the first generator stroke and the second generator stroke cause electricity to be generated.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a mounting area in the tire rim into which the fixedly attached electricity generator can be inserted so the fixedly attached electricity generator is flush with an outer surface of the tire rim.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixedly attached electricity generator further comprises a tube containing a semi-viscous fluid with magnetic/ferrite particles distributed within the semi-viscous fluid.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery that stores generated electricity.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more items which can be powered by the fixedly attached electricity generator, wherein the one or more items comprise: an electrical pneumatic pump, an electronic component for a sensor, a wireless transceiver, and a pump control mechanisms.
 6. A method of generating electricity, the method comprising: as a tire rim with an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be mounted rotates around an axis, causing an element to move due to a change in angular acceleration to yield a movement of the element; generating electricity via the movement of the element; and communicating the electricity to one of a sensor, an air pump, and a wireless communication device.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the element comprises a semi-viscous fluid.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the electricity is achieved through movement of the semi-viscous fluid in a tube surrounded by a wire mesh sleeve.
 9. The method of claim 9, wherein the semi-viscous fluid contains magnetic/ferrite particles.
 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising: storing the electricity in a battery.
 11. The method of claim 11, further comprising powering one of the sensor, the air pump, and the wireless communication device using the electricity stored in the battery. 